More than 50 world-leading universities, including Harvard University and the University of Cambridge, are set to gather at the Global University Presidents and Leaders Summit 2026 on Oct 27 and 28 in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to discuss the future of education.

The event aims to serve as a global communication platform, with the proposed Northern Metropolis University Town acting as a catalyst for the city’s education push.

The event will comprise 10 sessions, focusing on the university town — the city’s major proposed education, innovation, and technology hub — and on fostering cooperation among government, industry, academia, research, and investment. Ten local universities will participate, including eight publicly funded universities, Hong Kong Metropolitan University, and the Hang Seng University of Hong Kong. They will be represented by both their university administrators and students.

Priscilla Leung Mei-fun, founding president and CEO of the Hong Kong Association for External Friendship (HKAEF), the event’s organizer, said that for the first time, universities of applied sciences will participate this year.

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She said the event will include speeches and exchanges involving representatives from the government, industry and investors, discussing the importance of translating scientific research outcomes into business opportunities.

Leung added that attendees will explore cutting-edge education models, and local participants will introduce the “Study in Hong Kong” brand and the university town to global partners. Representatives of the Hong Kong SAR government will explain details of its education strategies and respond directly to questions from global partners.

“It is believed to be the first time that a discussion of this scale has focused on the development of Northern Metropolis University Town and the promotion of educational investment,” Leung said.

She stressed that, in addition to governmental support, public and private investment is key to developing the Northern Metropolis.

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Gordon Lam Chi-wing, honorary vice-governor of HKAEF, said he hopes the event will engage the business community and global advocates to generate more opportunities for top talent.

Lam said he believes that the meeting can bring more opportunities to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, showcase the Hong Kong SAR’s role as a superconnector and super value-adder, and reinforce the city’s integration into the Greater Bay Area and its commitment to serving national development.

The inaugural Global University Presidents and Leaders Summit was held in Hong Kong in December 2024, bringing together representatives from 55 universities worldwide, including Tsinghua University and Zhejiang University from the Chinese mainland.

Contact the writer at atlasshao@chinadailyhk.com